Help...I think I have frozen pipes

[starsail]

Anyone have a clue what to do besides call a plumber?Everything works fine except...the shower. I don't think it's been this cold since I bought the house and had never had to deal with frozen pipes before. I am
verklempt.

Comments

[ugotogal]

When our pipes froze a few weeks ago, we microwaved a big glass bowl of water until it was quite warm and poured it over the main spigots outside.

That helped and we got the water flowing again.

[starsail]

Well, that's worth a try. I also thought about putting a space heater in the basement to try and warm up that side. I'm just so afraid they're going to burst.

[greymeowsr]

if you open all the faucets a bit, as they thaw, it may not split the pipes if you get really lucky. space heater in the basement and in the bathroom would both be good if you have two. Turn on the lights too cause lights generate heat.

open faucets a bit on the sinks that work both hot and cold water. Just so they drip or have very, very small stream. That will keep them from freezing maybe.

Probably won't help to pour hot water on the main outside. Since you have water to sinks and toilets, etc., that's not frozen.

yf,
tom

[greymeowsr]

keep water running just a little bit from each faucet, both hot and cold. Open all closets to let heat in. If you think the pipes are frozen near the shower, put a small heater in the bathroom and turn it on high, but watch it so you don't have a fire.

If you have an unheated basement, turn on all the lights down there. Lights generate heat.

I don't know how your water gets to the shower? Is it on the first floor? Where are the pipes (I hope not in an outside wall)? Be sure you know how to turn off the water to the house in case you get a broken pipe when the shower thaws.

That's all I can think of right now.

yf,
tom

[greymeowsr]

you don't need a plumber yet

[starsail]

Thanks Tom. The shower is on the first floor right behind the kitchen (some lunatic designed this house in 1912, and there was no indoor bathroom when the house was first built.) What's bizarre is the kitchen sink is right on the other side of the wall and it's fine. Although we added the shower part a few years ago and the pipes in the bathroom itself are not covered or insulated.

[greymeowsr]

yep put a heater in the bathroom for sure and heat up those pipes - turn on faucets a little first - then just wait (but do be sure you know how to turn off water in house if one of those pipes splits - then you'd need to hire a plumber). yf, tom